U.S. Senate Candidate Paul Sadler speaks during the the 2012 Texas Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, June 8, 2012, in Houston.( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) (James Nielsen / Chronicle) less

U.S. Senate Candidate Paul Sadler speaks during the the 2012 Texas Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, June 8, 2012, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) ... more

U.S. Senate Candidate Paul Sadler speaks during the the 2012 Texas... Photo-3545767.50130 - San Antonio Express-News

U.S. Senate candidate Paul Sadler (D) holds 10-month-old Pablo Hinojosa-Donisi, son of Austin ISD school board candidate Gina Hinojosa, during a fish fry at the American Federation of Labor - Congress of ... more

U.S. Senate candidate Paul Sadler (D) speaks to supporters during a fish fry at the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations in Austin, TX on Fri., Aug. 31, 2012.Ashley Landis for the Houston Chronicle (Ashley Landis / copyright 2012 Ashley Landis) less

U.S. Senate candidate Paul Sadler (D) speaks to supporters during a fish fry at the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations in Austin, TX on Fri., Aug. 31, 2012.
Ashley Landis for the ... more

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 28: Senate Republican Candidate, Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is the first full session of the RNC after the start was delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) less

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 28: Senate Republican Candidate, Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is ... more

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 28: Senate Republican Candidate, Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is the first full session of the RNC after the start was delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) less

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 28: Senate Republican Candidate, Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is ... more

Ted Cruz, U.S. Senate candidate from Texas speaks at the second day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, Tuesday, August 28, 2012. (Lionel Hahn/Abaca Press/MCT) (Lionel Hahn / McClatchy-Tribune News Service) less

Ted Cruz, U.S. Senate candidate from Texas speaks at the second day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, Tuesday, August 28, 2012. (Lionel Hahn/Abaca Press/MCT) (Lionel Hahn / ... more

Ted Cruz, U.S. Senate candidate from Texas speaks at the second... Photo-3545773.50130 - San Antonio Express-News

U.S. Senate Candidate Ted Cruz, left, and his wife Heidi Cruz wave after his speech during the Texas Republican Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, June 9, 2012. Cruz and David Dewhurst are locked in a fierce fight for the Republican nomination to fill Texas' open U.S. Senate seat. (AP Photo/LM Otero) less

U.S. Senate Candidate Ted Cruz, left, and his wife Heidi Cruz wave after his speech during the Texas Republican Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, June 9, 2012. Cruz and David Dewhurst are locked in a ... more

Ted Cruz addresses a crowd of about 20 supporters at a restaurant in Temple on Saturday, May 26. Cruz vowed that, given a runoff against Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, he would win the Republican nomination. (Associated Press) less

Ted Cruz addresses a crowd of about 20 supporters at a restaurant in Temple on Saturday, May 26. Cruz vowed that, given a runoff against Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, he would win the Republican nomination. ... more

Ted Cruz addresses a crowd of about 20 supporters at a restaurant... Photo-3545792.50130 - San Antonio Express-News

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Political partners: David Dewhurst and Gov. Rick Perry. (Associated Press)

Political partners: David Dewhurst and Gov. Rick Perry. (Associated Press)